Reconnecting with Natures Wonders

Sunrises, sunsets, starlit skies and fog

We woke early one morning.  Packed up the van and headed to the beach.  We hurried along to the far side of the bay, just in time to witness natures greatest show – the sunrise.  

I have always dreamed of seeing sunrise across the sea and that dream came true.  Glorious hues of gold and yellow as the sun rose behind the cliffs next to the lighthouse. 

The sea magically transformed into a gorgeous blanket of gold weaving a path of light towards us.   Standing awestruck, we watched as the sun slowly rose higher in the sky to give us light once more.  Shades of pink turning to blue welcoming a new day.

---

Hello you

We have just returned from a beautiful week on the East Lothian Coast, staying at the Dunbar campsite in our campervan Bella.  I read once that Dunbar is known as the sunniest spot in Scotland and it is apparently true, we had sun for most of the week. 

We were however, hit with the tail end of Storm Ashley, with strong winds gusting during the first half of the week. Making a fire to cook our meals at night was challenging.  Ironically it was too windy even to put up the windbreak!  But compared to the battering that the west of Scotland had at the weekend, we had it quite mild.

With beautiful blue skies during the day came the inevitable stunning sunsets followed by starlit skies at night and we were treated to several such nights.  The views across the bay to a lit-up Dunbar were stunning.  As the light dipped after the sun had set, stars mystically appeared and because there was little light pollution except for the lights of Dunbar and the odd boat in the bay, the skies were incredible. 

We could easily make out the Plough looking northwards.  The Plough (also known as The Big Dipper) is part of the Ursa Major constellation and is circumpolar from the UK which means that it is visible all year round, rotating around the North Star.  The North Star, known as Polaris, was also visible.  Living in the Midlands we rarely see the night sky northwards due to the dreadful light pollution, so it was a real treat to see such wonder. 

And then the fog arrived.  On our last day, the blue skies we had seen all week transfigured into a sea of fog across the bay.  Bass Rock, just three miles off the coast of North Berwick that had been glistening white in the glorious sunshine became shrouded in fog.  I felt myself being magically transported back into the pages of

Laura Pashby

’s wonderful book “Chasing Fog”. 

An air of mystery surrounds the huge rock wrapped in fog.  Bass Rock is the remains of an ancient volcano that erupted 330 million years ago.  It was once home to a castle that was later turned into a prison for political and religious prisoners.  The castle was later dismantled in the 1700’s.  A lighthouse was built on the rock in 1901, and it is now uninhabited except for a large colony of gannets during March to October and the occasional seal can be spotted too.  Most of the gannets are gone now, heading south for the winter months, but the odd gannet or two can still be seen. 

We headed to our favourite beach just along the coast from our campsite.  The beach that gave us a stunning sunrise, a beach now transformed into a blanket of fog.  We parked the van and sat looking at nothing.  Nothing visible except fog.   

On previous visits to the beach, we had the company of dog walkers but on this foggy morning we were alone.  Alone with our thoughts.  Thoughts of mystical water creatures like the Kelpies rising out of the water, rising above the fog.  Then silence.  Silence except for the waves crashing along the shore as the wind returned.  It was bleak. It was wild.  It was invigorating. 

The stunning power of Nature.

---

Thank you for reading A Simple Living Journal. My name is Debbie.  I write about all things Slow and Simple living, with a nature and seasonal vibe, whilst navigating a part-time job.

Until next time

Take care

Debbie xx